Longtime Saugus finance board head to step down

SAUGUS – Town officials bowed their heads in sorrow upon learning that Robert Palleschi, the long-standing chairman of the Finance Committee, would be stepping down after 11 consecutive terms.”He’s the face of the Finance Committee,” said Town Manager Scott Crabtree. He added that he was surprised to learn of Palleschi’s departure as he had become so well-established in town. Crabtree recalled that Palleschi always displayed tremendous leadership during his 33 years on the committee, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable financial hardship.”I think he’s going to be sorely missed,” said Crabtree.Robert Long, former town moderator of 18 years, pointed out that Palleschi had 40 years of experience handling the finances for The Harvard?Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge.He said that this skillset really came into play when the town was almost forced to close the library seven years ago.”Can you imagine losing your public library?” asked Long.However, he said that Palleschi went through and “fine-combed” the budget in search of more money. Although the library’s hours ended up being cut, Palleschi and his committee were able to keep it open.In terms of Palleschi’s character, Long said that he always rose above the town’s frequent political firestorms, making decisions based on what he believed was best for Saugus as opposed to taking sides.”He has no political ambitions,” said Long. “He needed to be on that committee.”Town Meeting member Peter Manoogian commended Palleschi’s listening and decision-making skills particularly when the two men served on the committee together. He said that Palleschi always listened to everyone without interruption and never kept anyone out of the loop.”There’s no question as to his love for the Town of Saugus,” said Manoogian. “Bob is a true gentleman.”Town Meeting member Al DiNardo said he has known Palleschi to be a factual individual as well as a natural leader who guided the town through the 1981 implementation of Proposition 2?. “He shepherded the town through those times.”Palleschi was not available for comment.